History

Twenty six years ago, upon learning that our first grandchild was expected, I became increasingly interested in and aware of different methods of education.

Over lunch with friends I asked the question that many of you have asked – “What is Montessori education?”  As I learned more and more about the Montessori method and philosophy, I felt it embraced exactly the right approach to educating young children.  It includes many ways of teaching the same things; grace and courtesy for one another and care of the environment, the excitement of learning, individual rather than “lock-step” teaching, freedom of choice within limits and growth of self esteem through success.  This I thought is what a school ought to be about!

As someone who had grown up with a considerable degree of “math anxiety” I was spellbound by the Montessori math alone….all concrete materials to be handled rather that just abstract numbers.  It all felt so right – as if I had found something I had always been looking for.

Soon I was enrolled as a student again, obtained my degree in Montessori education and began to teach.  Several years later my husband and I decided to open our own school to ensure that Montessori Education would continue to thrive and grow.  Together we drew the plans for the building.  While he supervised the construction, I worked on the educational program and staff.

We officially began as Village Montessori School in September 1986.  Since our current building was not yet complete, we rented classroom space in two local churches.    We moved into our beautiful new building in January 1987 right after Christmas break.

My only regret had been that I discovered Montessori too late for my own four children.  However, to my surprise and delight, three of them are now on the staff.  Diana is the music teacher, Linda is the Accountant and Laura is the Director.  I have also had the rare and wonderful satisfaction of having each of my five grandchildren in my class for at least a year.

The little girl you see on the quilt above our library is Kelly, Laura’s daughter, whose birth started it all!  The idea came from a photograph of Kelly when she was three and a student in my class.  We were playing on the beach when she found a stick and began to draw “sandpaper letters” in the sand.    This quilt was a gift from Lisa Allen who designed and created it for us.  Her two children were also in one of my first classes.

It’s been an exciting 20 years and we look forward to many more!

Patricia A. Aubin